From Thomas Edison to Marie Curie, the great minds of our time have shaped the way we look at the world. In this program, students will use a hands-on approach to learn about the great minds of history. Together, we may learn about Archimedes’ “eureka” moment, investigate the revolutionary engineering of Gustave Eiffel, or discover Leonardo Da Vinci as an artist, a mathematician and an inventor. Explore with us and you could be the next Great Mind of the 21st century!
This is a Science-based, multi-disciplinary program, making it all the more exciting and engaging for participants and Instructors alike. Some weeks in these programs may more science heavy, while others will be more crafty – but all are full of exploration and inquiry.
Instructors should get to know their students and use the lessons that are best suited to the energy and interests of the group.
Remember: In any Explore It! program, it is important that the Instructor come prepared, having reviewed any relevant information and instructions prior to the lesson and understanding the experiment fully. Sometimes – it may be helpful to arrive early and try/test the activity yourself. Also, where crafts are involved, it’s important to note that the process and product hold equal importance. Children should be actively learning about the skill or technique that is being taught as well as engaging in the peer-to-peer support that is inherent in a crafting community. Instructors should take the time to explain that any craft or skill demands patience and positivity while we learn.
If you have any concerns or questions about what quality means in this program, please discuss with your Senior Instructor or email Liz or Randy to confirm.
All multi-disciplinary programs should actively engage through the STEAM method.
STEAM is an approach incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry. In an effort to provide quality programming, we want to ensure that our lessons carefully and thoughtfully incorporate the core components of the STEAM philosophy:
- STEAM experiences involve two or more standards from Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the Arts to be taught in and through each other,
- Inquiry, collaboration, and an emphasis on process-based learning are at the heart of the approach,
- Utilizing and leveraging the integrity of the arts themselves is essential.
Students and teachers engaged in STEAM understand that we are always learning, always growing and always experimenting.
See the Great Minds Program Lesson Ideas/Options Here.
Great Minds Packing List:
Books and Resources:
- 1 Book – Eric The Boy Who Lost His Gravity
- 1 Book – Mr Archimedes Bath
- 1 Book – Madame Eiffel
- 1 Book – Phases of the Moon
Puzzle Resources:
- 1 Tanagram Puzzle
- 1 Tower Bolt Puzzle
- Magnetic Field Puzzle
- 1 Edison’s Filament Light Puzzle
- 1 Newton’s Gravity Defying Puzzle
General Materials:
- 20 sheets white card stock
- 20 sheets black card stock
- 20 sheets colourful card stock
- 8 child scissors
- 2 adult scissors
- 3 rolls masking tape
- bag of pencils with erasers and sharpener
- bag of markers
- bag of pencil crayons
- 10 erasers
Circuit Kits:
- 20 LED lights
- 20 3V batteries
- 1 sponge
- 4 rolls electrical tape
Experiment Materials:
- 3 large plastic cups – reusable
- 30 dixie cups
- 30 index cards
- 20 metal coins
- 1 cookie sheet
- 30 elastic bands
- 25 ft string of any kind
- 1 roll paper towel
- 1 spray bottle with vinegar and water
- 1 plastic buckets
- 1 plastic wrap
- 20 sheets water colour paper
- 15 large paper plates
- 15 small paper plates
- 2 Lego Car kits
- 15 tubes of toothpicks
- 15 small containers of play dough
- 2 white glue
- 8 plastic eggs
- 8 metal butter knife
- 30 marbles
- 6 measuring tapes
- 30 pom poms (craft)
- 30 pipe cleaners
- 18 pull back (important) dinky cars
- 8 glue sticks
- 2 medium metal bowl
- 1 salt
- 100 popsicle sticks
- 50 elastic bands
- 20 plastic spoons
- 9 percussion instruments
- 4 short ruler
- 4 long ruler
- 30 dinos / toy animals